An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori (official version)

“Hmph! You got lucky this time.” Kendricks glared at Azalea, then sheathed his Demonblade and left the battle ring.

Even though he won, there was no thrill in it. He didn’t feel proud about winning against a vulnerable woman when she had managed to injure him.

Since his rise to fame, he had never felt so embarrassed. The Divine Talismans had played a part, but he couldnt deny being outmatched and humiliated.

The missed chance to retaliate only deepened his frustration. Kendricks vowed he wouldn't show the Mystic Arts Order disciples mercy if he faced them again.

“Contestant number five is the winner in this match,” Oron announced.

The spectators reacted with warm applause.

Azalea’s stunning performance and Kendricks’s formidable strength were worthy of praise. Most previous matches had been brutal, where a single misstep could cost a contestant their life.

It was rare to see someone as wise as her, who knew when she was outmatched and chose to surrender immediately. Her quick thinking had saved her life.

“Grand Sorceress, I'm sorry for disappointing you by not winning the match.” After returning to her seat, Azalea acknowledged her mistake.

“What's important is that you're safe. Winning or losing doesn’t matter,” Abigail replied with a smile.

She continued, “Kendricks is ranked eighth on the Legendary List, so it's natural that you couldn’t defeat him.

“I was actually worried you might impulsively push through to the end, which would have been unwise. Besides, you performed admirably and injured him, so it’s not a total loss.” To her, Azalea’s safety was more important than winning. While she hoped Azalea would make it to the top eight, it wouldn't have been a huge concern if she hadn't. After all, winning and losing were simply parts of the competition and couldn't be forced.

“The sixth match is about to begin. Please welcome contestant number six and contestant number 11 to the battle ring.” Oron’s voice echoed.

“Finally, it's my turn!” Suddenly, a burst of laughter filled the venue, and a figure in green flashed into the air. After hovering for a second, the figure vanished and reappeared in the center of the battle ring.

Everyone gasped in astonishment at such a bizarre display of movement.

“What the hell was that? Was that Spectral Sprint technique?” “No idea. It happened so fast | couldn't see.” “If 'm not mistaken, it's a technique that lets the user shorten the distance between steps and allows them to flicker within a specific range.

Their movements are unpredictable and mysterious.” The spectators buzzed with astonishment.

This tournament showcased exceptional talents and extraordinary techniques. The outcome of each match remained uncertain until the very end.

“Where's my opponent? Come out and fight!” The man in the green robe stood at the center of the battle ring. His hair flowed despite the still air, and his robes fluttered, which gave him an imposing presence.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” A booming voice echoed.

Following that, a man in white, with an almost otherworldly beauty, leaped into the air. He crossed 300 feet in a few light steps and landed on the battle ring. It was Dalen Shade.

“I'm Dalen Shade, a disciple of the Shadow Citadel.” With a folding fan in hand, he courteously saluted his opponent.

i EEEEEEEERERNE EERIE mmmhwbwbBmmm_—s - His refined demeanor and striking good looks elicited gasps of admiration from many female spectators. Although he might not have been the strongest contestant, his charm certainly made him stand out.

Even Alicia, who ranked among the top on the Beauty Ranking, couldn't help but be amazed. She had never seen a man with such breathtaking beauty. If he were a woman, she might have felt overshadowed.

“Dalen Shade? I've never heard of you.” The man in green gave Dalen a once- over with noticeable disdain. Though his looks were nothing to scoff at, he felt utterly overshadowed next to Dalen.

“May | know your name?” Dalen smiled.

“I'm unaffiliated with any guide. My name is Leigh. Jude Leigh,” the man in green replied proudly.

“So, you're Jude Leigh, ranked tenth on the Legendary List. It's a pleasure to meet you.” Dalen quickly realized his opponent's identity.

He remembered Jude had fought earlier but had finished the match quickly without revealing his identity. Dalen thought he was probably trying to keep a low profile.

“Is that really Jude Leigh? He's been keeping a low profile.” “Given the unclear situation before, it made sense for him to stay under the radar. Now that the top masters on the Legendary List have appeared, he has nothing to worry about.” “I've heard he’s an expert in the occult. His techniques are bizarre and endless. Even most grandmasters struggle against him.” “If he’s made it onto the Legendary List, there has to be something extraordinary about him. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do.” Once the spectators learned Jude's identity, the murmurs grew louder.

Each master on the Legendary List had remarkable strength or unique skills, and Jude was no exception.

“Now that you know who | am, why hesitate? Just surrender to save us both the hassle,” Jude said calmly. His tone wasn’t overly arrogant, but it carried an undeniable authority.

“I've come this far. If | surrender now, I'll be a laughingstock.” Dalen smiled. ” | have to give it at least my best shot.” “Do you seriously think you can defeat me?” Jude scoffed. “Clearly, you don’t understand the significance of being on the Legendary List.” To him, ordinary geniuses couldn't compare to those on the Legendary List. In his eyes, Dalen was just setting himself up for humiliation.

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